Welcome to today’s NY Times Crossword! As we dive into this puzzle, September 21, 2024. get ready to challenge your mind with a blend of clever clues and playful wordplay. Whether you're a seasoned solver or just starting out, today’s grid promises to engage and entertain. Grab your pencil, take a moment to think outside the box, and let’s unravel the delightful mystery hidden within these squares. Happy solving!

NYTimes Crossword Answers for September 21, 2024

Across

• Namesake of the channel separating Madagascar from the African mainland: MOZAMBIQUE
  (The country named after the Mozambique Channel.)

• Go quickly (past): SAIL
  (To move swiftly across a body of water.)

• “What a crazy thing to do!”: ARE YOU NUTS
  (An expression of disbelief or astonishment.)

• That being the case: IF SO
  (A phrase used to indicate a condition.)

• “Been there”: I CAN RELATE
  (A way of expressing shared experience.)

• Small songbirds: TITS
  (A family of small birds known for their cheerful songs.)

• The W.N.B.A.’s Wings, on scoreboards: DAL
  (Abbreviation for the Dallas Wings.)

• Releaser of electrons: ANODE
  (The electrode through which current flows into a device.)

• Nickname for Alexander, in Slavic cultures: SACHA
  (A common diminutive form of Alexander.)

• Word on a construction sign: SLOW
  (A warning to reduce speed.)

• Appealing outcome, perhaps: RETRIAL
  (A second trial that may result in a favorable judgment.)

• They might bite the dust: MITES
  (Tiny creatures that can infest and damage.)

• Florida city where “The Greatest Show on Earth” was once headquartered: SARASOTA
  (A city known for its circus history.)

• Two o’ clock?: HANDS
  (Referring to the hands of a clock.)

• Sharp, in a way: TANGY
  (A flavor that is pleasantly sharp or zesty.)

• “Apocalypse Now” setting, informally: NAM
  (Short for Vietnam, the war backdrop of the film.)

• Newspaper section: ARTS
  (A section dedicated to cultural topics and events.)

• Business with the stock symbol WOOF: PETCO
  (A pet supply retailer.)

• Jamaican folk song about overnight labor: DAYO
  (A traditional song often associated with Jamaican culture.)

• Sault ___ Marie International Bridge (Michigan-Ontario connector): STE
  (Referring to Sault Ste. Marie.)

• A whole bunch of people in a row: MELEE
  (A chaotic fight involving multiple people.)

• Works on a loop, say: CODES
  (Referring to computer programming or scripts.)

• Sky-high prices?: AIRFARES
  (The cost of flights, often perceived as high.)

• Sci-fi awards: HUGOS
  (Prestigious awards for science fiction literature.)

• Put on an unconvincing accent or laugh way too hard, perhaps: HAM IT UP
  (To exaggerate for comedic effect.)

• Food often served with wet wipes: RIBS
  (A messy dish commonly associated with barbecue.)

• Top-tier: ELITE
  (Referring to the highest level of quality or status.)

• Country with “kreyòl” as an official language: HAITI
  (A nation where Haitian Creole is spoken.)

• What Los Angeles and New York are represented in twice: Abbr.: NFL
  (Referring to the National Football League.)

• “Stuff happens”: ALAS
  (A phrase expressing regret or disappointment.)

• Custardy French dessert: POT DE CREME
  (A rich chocolate or vanilla custard dessert.)

• Actor Malek: RAMI
  (Referring to Rami Malek, an award-winning actor.)

• Poor resolution, say: ANTICLIMAX
  (A situation that fails to meet expectations.)

• Osiris or Isis, e.g.: TWIN
  (Gods in Egyptian mythology who are often paired together.)

• Butt text?: PEACH EMOJI
  (A playful reference to the peach emoji often used to represent a butt.)

Down

• 2019 best seller subtitled “Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive”: MAID
  (A memoir by Stephanie Land about her struggles as a single mother.)

• Part of a pod: ORCA
  (A type of marine mammal, often found in groups or pods.)

• Fire: ZEAL
  (A passionate intensity, similar to the fervor of a fire.)

• First name in Objectivism: AYN
  (Referring to Ayn Rand, the philosopher and author.)

• Miles ___, Spider-Man’s alter ego in the “Spider-Verse” movies: MORALES
  (The character Miles Morales as Spider-Man.)

• Half a South American capital name: BUENOS
  (Part of the name of Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina.)

• How a truck may descend a hill: IN LOW
  (A driving technique to control speed on a decline.)

• Difficult figure-skating jump: QUAD
  (A challenging jump involving four revolutions in the air.)

• It is said: UTTERANCE
  (A spoken word or statement.)

• Commercial ending: ESE
  (A suffix often used in advertisements.)

• Instruments with movable frets: SITARS
  (A stringed instrument from India with movable frets.)

• Lover: AFICIONADO
  (A person with a strong interest or passion for something.)

• “So, you’re saying you’re in?”: IS THAT A YES
  (A question confirming someone's commitment.)

• U.S. city with the motto “Where Discoveries are Made”: LOS ALAMOS
  (A New Mexico city known for its role in the Manhattan Project.)

• Inn range?: STAY
  (A term related to lodging or accommodation.)

• Health class topic, for short: STDS
  (Abbreviation for sexually transmitted diseases.)

• That being the case: ERGO
  (A term meaning “therefore” or “for that reason.”)

• Something invoked in an emergency: MARTIAL LAW
  (A temporary imposition of military control.)

• Major League Soccer team with pink home jerseys: INTER MIAMI
  (A professional soccer team based in Miami.)

• Fills: SATES
  (To satisfy a hunger or desire.)

• Shows compassion: HAS A HEART
  (A phrase indicating empathy or kindness.)

• Classic party game: TELEPHONE
  (A game where a message is whispered down a line.)

• Country name that’s also the Portuguese word for “turkey”: PERU
  (Referring to both the country and the bird.)

• They might have bones to pick: DOGS
  (A playful expression referring to grievances.)

• Start a family, or finish a game: MATE
  (To breed or to conclude a match.)

• Box office?: CUBICLE
  (A playful term referring to an office space.)

• Belongs: FITS IN
  (A phrase indicating something is appropriate or suitable.)

• Like next-gen devices: HI-TECH
  (Referring to advanced technology.)

• So absurd, in slang: RIDIC
  (Short for ridiculous, often used informally.)

• “___ girl!”: ATTA
  (A phrase of encouragement or approval.)

• Spoiler alert: He’s found in Sydney Harbour: NEMO
  (Referring to the fictional character from "Finding Nemo.")

• Key of Beethoven’s Sixth: Abbr.: FMAJ
  (Short for F major, the key of Beethoven's Symphony No. 6.)

• Golfer Thompson who qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at age 12: LEXI
  (Referring to Lexi Thompson, a professional golfer.)

• Tire holder: RIM
  (The metal part that holds a tire on a wheel.)

Thanks for Checking Out Today’s NYT Crossword Answers! 

As we wrap up today’s NY Times Crossword, September 21, 2024 take a moment to reflect on the clues that stumped you and the ones that brought a smile to your face. Each puzzle is not just a test of knowledge but a journey through language and creativity. Whether you filled in every square or tackled just a few, remember that every attempt is a step toward becoming a better solver. Join us again tomorrow for another round of fun and challenge—happy puzzling!